220: Xiao Huohuo and Lin Shishi's request

Meanwhile, the Revival Melee on the adjacent floating island had also concluded.

Mu Yuqing of Jinxin Peak, relying on her exquisite Gold-attribute Spells and a highly defensive Golden Bell Magic Treasure,

persevered until the end in the four-person brawl, defeating the other three and successfully securing a spot on the final Floating Island.

Venerable Ziyang's gaze swept across the venue, his voice imbued with spiritual power, clearly entering everyone's ears:

"Tomorrow, the final decisive battle of the Core Disciple Ranking Competition—the Floating Island Melee—will take place!

Participants: Yao Delong, Lei Qianjun, Liu Ruyan, and Mu Yuqing!

The four will simultaneously ascend the Floating Island, and the final rankings will be determined by the order in which they fall off the island!

The order of falling is the order of ranking!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue erupted in an uproar!

"The Floating Island Melee! A four-person brawl! This is much more exciting than one-on-one!"

"Senior Brother Yao is too strong! Even Senior Brother Lei admitted defeat! Tomorrow's champion must be him!"

"I don't think so! Melees have too many variables!

Senior Brother Yao's brilliance was too sharp today; tomorrow, he might be targeted by the other three working together!"

"That's right, Senior Brother Lei clearly held back his strength, and Senior Sister Liu's Purple Extreme Heavenly Fire is more powerful in a chaotic fight,

and Senior Sister Mu's Golden Bell defense is extremely difficult to break through... It will be hard for Senior Brother Yao to take first place!"

"No matter what, tomorrow will definitely be a fierce Dragon-Tiger Battle! I'm so looking forward to it!"

The Disciples discussed spiritedly, filled with excitement.

Yao Delong's name had already become the most dazzling presence of the day,

with countless gazes—whether respectful, envious, or challenging—focused on him.

Yao Delong paid no mind to these discussions. He cupped his hands toward the high platform and the four directions,

then transformed into a streak of light and returned directly to his courtyard on Luoxia Peak.

After a series of fierce battles today, especially the final clash with Lei Qianjun, although his Primal Energy consumption was low,

the depletion of his mental focus and vital energy was considerable. He needed to quickly regulate his breathing,

and recover to his Peak state to face the even more perilous melee tomorrow.

However, not long after he sat down cross-legged in the quiet room, familiar voices came from outside the courtyard.

"Senior Brother Yao! Congratulations!" Xiao Huohuo and Lin Shishi arrived together, their faces beaming with sincere smiles.

Yao Delong stood up to greet them and led the two into the stone pavilion in the courtyard to sit down.

"It was merely luck; Senior Brother Lei didn't use his full strength," Yao Delong said modestly, pouring Spiritual Tea for them both.

"Senior Brother Yao is far too humble!" Xiao Huohuo's eyes were filled with admiration.

"Even Senior Brother Lei, last year's first place, voluntarily conceded. Everyone can see Senior Brother's strength!

In tomorrow's Floating Island Melee, Senior Brother will surely seize the champion title!"

Lin Shishi also smiled sweetly:

"That's right, Senior Brother Yao is now the pride of the Yin Yang Sect!

We came today, first, to congratulate Senior Brother on entering the final battle, and second... we have a favor to ask."

Yao Delong's heart stirred slightly: "Oh? Junior Sister Lin, please speak."

Lin Shishi and Xiao Huohuo exchanged glances. Xiao Huohuo rubbed his hands awkwardly and began:

"Senior Brother Yao, it's about the God Burial Abyss Secret Realm... We heard that

the top ten in the Core Ranking Competition all qualify to enter the Secret Realm, and moreover... it seems they can also bring several fellow Disciples with them?"

Yao Delong was slightly startled upon hearing this.

He only knew that the top ten were qualified to enter; this matter of bringing fellow Disciples was the first he'd heard of it.

"Bringing fellow Disciples? I am not yet aware of the details regarding this."

Lin Shishi quickly explained:

"This is an unwritten rule of the Sect. Generally, Secret Realms that haven't been fully explored pose enormous risks.

To increase survival rates and exploration efficiency, the Sect tacitly allows each person to bring several trustworthy fellow Disciples as helpers, but the quota is limited.

We... we wanted to shamelessly ask Senior Brother Yao, if you have any spare spots,

could you take the two of us along?

We promise to follow Senior Brother's lead and be absolutely loyal!"

Her eyes held anticipation, and Xiao Huohuo also looked nervously at Yao Delong.

Yao Delong pondered. The God Burial Abyss Secret Realm was unpredictable and dangerous; having two more helpers was naturally a good thing.

Both Xiao Huohuo and Lin Shishi had decent talent, especially Lin Shishi, who was meticulous,

and Xiao Huohuo was quite clever; they were usable aids. But... "To be honest with you two," Yao Delong admitted,

"I have indeed just learned that I can bring people along. However, I already have one person in mind, and that is my Junior Sister Lin Qingxue.

She is currently in secluded cultivation attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul stage, and I expect she should finish before the Secret Realm opens.

As for the quota... it still depends on tomorrow's final ranking and the Sect's specific regulations.

If the quota I ultimately receive is sufficient, taking the two of you along is certainly not out of the question."

He calculated in his heart, if he won the champion title, perhaps he could bring one more person?

But the exact details would only be known after the dust settled tomorrow.

Hearing this, a flicker of disappointment crossed the eyes of Xiao Huohuo and Lin Shishi, but there was mostly understanding.

Lin Qingxue was Yao Delong's direct Junior Sister, so their relationship was naturally closer.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Yao, for your honesty!" Lin Shishi rose and gave a graceful bow.

"Senior Sister Clear Snow's talent is outstanding; she should rightly accompany Senior Brother.

Regardless of the outcome, we are both grateful for Senior Brother's words today.

For tomorrow's final, we wish Senior Brother immediate success and victory as champion!"

"Right! Senior Brother Yao, all the best! We'll be waiting for your good news!"

Xiao Huohuo quickly added.

After seeing off Xiao Huohuo and Lin Shishi, Yao Delong returned to the quiet room and sat down cross-legged.

Tomorrow's Floating Island Melee, a four-person brawl, holds immense variables. The strength Lei Qianjun held back,

Liu Ruyan's Purple Extreme Heavenly Fire, which is more threatening in a chaotic fight, and Mu Yuqing's sturdy Golden Bell defense... all are formidable opponents.

More importantly, the dominance he displayed today

has likely made the other three wary, and the possibility of them joining forces to target him tomorrow is extremely high!

"A joint effort, huh..." A cold, sharp arc curved on Yao Delong's lips, and Battle Intent surged in his eyes.

"Then let them come! It's a perfect chance to test where my current limits truly lie!"

The next day, the Floating Island Plaza was packed with people, and the atmosphere was even more fervent than the day before!

The huge plaza was almost entirely filled by the surging crowds; there was not an empty seat.

Those Disciples who failed to secure seats displayed their Divine Abilities,

summoning various Flying Ships and Magical Artifacts, which densely dotted the sky surrounding the plaza,

looking from afar like countless stars scattered across the air. Everyone's gaze

was focused on the Floating Island in the center of the plaza, suspended mid-air and enveloped by a powerful Formation light barrier!

"This year's Core Ranking Competition is too exciting! Far surpassing the last one!"

"Indeed, who would have thought that a newly promoted Core Disciple, in just a few months,

could fight his way to the final decisive battle, even causing Senior Brother Lei to voluntarily concede!"

"Senior Brother Yao's speed of improvement is simply Prodigy-like!

At this rate, promotion to the True Inheritance Sequence is just around the corner!"

"Hey, you guys are thinking too simply! How could the True Inheritance Sequence be that easy?

I heard you need to reach the Nascent Soul stage, then complete a specific Sect promotion assessment, which is incredibly difficult!

Otherwise, why would our Yin Yang Sect have tens of thousands of Disciples, yet only fifteen True Successors?"

"I see! But with Senior Brother Yao's talent, he will definitely be a True Successor in the future!"

The discussions rose and fell like tides, and Yao Delong's name was repeatedly mentioned,

filled with astonishment, admiration, and anticipation.